World Religions: Eastern Traditions (Paperback)

~ Willard Oxtoby (the late) (Author), Roy Amore (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Building upon its already strong foundation, the third edition of World Religions: Eastern Traditions provides students with a thorough and in-depth survey of Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Chinese, Korean, and Japanese religions. Featuring work from renowned contributors, this rich and descriptive text discusses the historical basis for the religious traditions, shows how they have developed over time, and explains how they are now situated in the contemporary world.
New to this Edition:
* Full redesign featuring four-color throughout, 63 photos, and 7 maps
* An introductory chapter ("Why Religion?") that explores the origins of religion and some of the basic elements that traditions around the world share
* A concluding chapter ("Current Issues") examining how various traditions are responding to contemporary issues in such areas as politics, bioethics, gender, environment, and interfaith dialogue
* Four new contributors who provide fresh perspectives on Sikh, Jain, Japanese, and Chinese/Korean traditions
* Pedagogical features including "Traditions at a Glance" boxes, "Sites" boxes, recommended websites, and bolded key terms
Ideal for courses in Asian religions and comparative religions, World Religions: Eastern Traditions, Third Edition, combines a historically descriptive perspective with a spirit of sympathetic fascination.

About the Author

Roy C. Amore is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Windsor. He is currently working on a new text on religion and politics for OUP Canada.
The late Willard G. Oxtoby was a Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto, where he launched the graduate program in the study of religion.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 3 edition (October 31, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195426762
• ISBN-13: 978-0195426762
• Shipping Information: View shipping rates and policies
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,600,696 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good survey of Eastern religions, November 19, 2004

By	FrKurt Messick "FrKurt Messick" (Bloomington, IN USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)

This review is from: World Religions: Eastern Traditions (Paperback)

There is no such thing as a completely unbiased and objective text on religious studies. As other commentators on this volume have noted, there are some definite biases in this volume, but one must also allow for biases on the part of the readers, too. This book, edited by Willard Oxtoby of the University of Toronto, is the kind of book often used for introduction to world religions courses. This is part of a two-volume set; this volume deals with the major religions to come out Asian continent, as well as a few lesser-prominent traditions, such as Pacific Island religious varieties.

In his introduction, Oxtoby addresses the issue of objectivity and the insider/outsider consideration about religious studies writing. The other authors, Vasudha Narayanan, Julia Ching and Roy Amore, write of Hindu and Buddhist traditions respectively, and while Oxtoby is a Christian, he writes on the subjects of the Sikh, Asian/Pacific, and general topics in the text. Narayanan also writes on the Jainist tradition, while Ching writes on less prominent East Asian religions, closer in affiliation with their own traditions than a Western academic like Oxtoby. We are not given the specifics of denomination or sectarian affiliation here, but given the purpose of writing broadly-useful texts, such classifications might hinder rather than help progress.

There are major chapters on Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, East Asian, and Asian/Pacific religions, in addition to a general chapter looking at the nature of religion in philosophical and social science terms. Each chapter incorporates history, particularly the beginnings of the religions, and the fundamental belief structures. For each major faith, a description of the current state of affairs is also included.

There are photographs throughout, but not so many for a 500+ page book. There are maps, diagrams and charts relating to the subjects. Perhaps the most useful are the highlighted text boxes, which often draw into greater relief key scriptures, historical events, personalities or ideas -- given the difference in languages, most chapters conclude with a glossary of key terms. Pull-boxes can include information such as scriptural citations (Bhagavad Gita, Dhammapada, etc.), prayers and liturgical pieces, or snapshot descriptions of key issues.

The concluding chapter on the nature of religion develops ideas from the philosophy of religion, the sociology and pscyhology of religion, as well as a general overview synthesis of key areas of similarity. Given that the bulk of the two volumes discusses the particularities of the religions of the world, a few pages on the similarities and shared elements is welcome. Oxtoby writes that, 'if there is one common denominator among the religions, it is humankind. Human action, human thought, and human devotion.' Well said.

Each major section begins with a timeline of key dates in the development of that tradition. Each section concludes with lists for further reading, references, and useful study questions for those who use this as a text book or conversation partner. The book has a very good index, and is well constructed to stand up to regular student use (and abuse).

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Satisfied, May 4, 2008

By	A. Spencer - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: World Religions: Eastern Traditions (Paperback)

Well this book has truely been beneficial to me since I ordered it. I didn't really want to create an account with this website but after purchasing this book, I'm thinking that I'll probably order more items. I just want to thank the seller for her honesty. Everything was just as she said it would be. Now doing my paper won't be so tedious since I have the book handy.